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Massive storm damage in Branson

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Story highlights

EF2 tornado strikes Branson, Missouri, overnight; it was on ground for 20 miles

Damage is reported on commercial strip of the resort

Thirty-three injuries have been reported, but no deaths

Town vows to rebuild, stay open for business

Officials in the resort city of Branson, Missouri, were relieved an EF2 tornado, which damaged some of its marquee musical theaters, struck before the prime tourist season began.

They said Wednesday the town was still open for business, although tourists might have to change some of their entertainment plans.

"We are getting through it," Mayor Raeanne Presley said of the storm that moved through early Wednesday.

The tornado had winds of 120 to 130 mph, was 400 yards wide and was on the ground for about 20 miles, according to a preliminary report from the National Weather Service.

The storm smashed at least seven miles of the city's commercial strip. Although tourists were in town, the numbers would likely have been much higher in about two weeks, when entertainment moves into full gear through Christmas, officials said.

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Thirty-three injuries were reported; most were minor or moderate. One person was listed as critical, according to City Administrator Dean Kruithof.

Gov. Jay Nixon said damage was in at least in the tens of millions, perhaps higher. Crews were still assessing the extent of the losses.

"We are confident that Branson will be back bigger and better than ever," Nixon told reporters.

"I woke up this morning and looked outside and saw houses were destroyed," said resident Steven Scharmanzer. "I've never seen anything like this in the 20 years I've lived here."

Presley told CNN she couldn't recall a storm that hit so many structures.

Several venues were more fortunate. Silver Dollar City theme park, for example, appeared to be unaffected.

Nestled in the Ozarks region, about 40 miles south of Springfield, Branson has been a musical magnet for decades. It really took off in the mid-1980s, and its many theaters have showcased stars such as Andy Williams and Tony Orlando. The offerings range from country to comedy, classical to kitsch.

Kruithof said about five or six of the city's roughly 40 theaters were damaged. The Branson Variety Theater was heavily damaged, he told CNN.

"One of the big issues is cleaning up and getting rid of the debris," he said. "(However), many, many more of our theaters had minor, or no damage at all."

The city's convention center and an attached Hilton were damaged, as was a portion of Branson Landing, a large shopping and entertainment complex.